This project was first proposed in the summer of 2005 and at that time
Grand Rapids was chosen to be a site for the LEED-H Pilot Program.
Because of the university connection and the possibility of widely
publishing the results of the project, it was important to build to
some outside environmental standard. In Grand Rapids the Green Built
Michigan program under the local Home-Builders Association was a
possibility; this program is available throughout the state of Michigan
but only through members of the local Home Builders Associations. We
chose LEED because of national and even international recognition of
the standards. We also chose to make the house handicap accessible
(using Zero Step guidelines) since that is entirely compatible with
the social aspect of the Triple Bottom Line. The Green House on Watson
was the 5th house certified in Grand Rapids under the Pilot Program of
LEED-H and the 2nd house to obtain LEED-Silver.
The Process:
Step 1: Attend a LEED-H
seminar to learn about the standard.
Step 2: Use the LEED Project Checklist to
begin building a strategy to achieve LEED certification.
Especially for a not- for-profit organization where funding is
limited, choices must be made and trade-offs carefully
considered. This process will continue throughout the project
but decisions made early in the design are critical. For
example, our early decision to use Insulated Concrete Forms
(ICF) for the entire shell up to the trusses impacted energy
demand and also construction waste.
Step 3: Submit preliminary plans to the
LEED provider (in this case Mike Holcomb) for preliminary
approval.
Step 4: After
preliminary approval, submit a durability plan. This details
steps to be taken to assure durability (such as
water-proofing, roof flashing, etc.- standard steps taken by
good builders). We considered adding new items such as
permanent walk- off mats but we did not have a good source for
this feature and it is also possible to do more than what you
propose in the durability plan. You cannot do less.
Step 5: Build the project. Keep the LEED
provider informed about the progress of the project so that he
can make the necessary in progress inspections. Be sure to
save paperwork so that you can verify that standards relating
to process have been met. For example, recycling of building
materials must be documented and total waste to the landfill
must be documented.
Step 6: Final inspection and submission of the project checklist
and third party verifications to USGBC for certification.
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